The Romanesque Union Station In Lockport was built in 1888 and was one of the oldest train stations in the WNY area. The station closed as a rail passenger station in 1957 however served other purposes. The station has slate roofs and looks like a miniature castle as you approach it from a distance. Much of all that remains is walls, foundation and no roof. Most residents are saddened because many events took place here and memories like local boyscout meetings for example. The original design was made by architect John D Fouquet. When the passenger station closed it became a grand restaurant for many years until 1972 the dining area had a fire. In 1978 another fire occurred again and that ended the restaurant business here.Union station at one time had the Western Union Telegraph Base its center in the Lockport area and at one time boys on bikes we dispatched around town to deliver messages. Years ago the telegram was very important and highly used so this was a big business for Union Station eventually with Telex, Fax machines, Twx there was no longer a need for Telegrams. Now in 2003 when you walk up to it you will see a fence surrounding the property with barbed wire, there is no roof inside, the tower is crumbled, no flooring, and it looks as if an earthquake hit it and whats left is crumbling castle walls. The most interesting thing about it is the large stone archways however most of this place is overgrown by trees, brush and the ghost of the past still haunt this historical site believing they are boarding trains, delivering telegrams and eating a splended meal as a train would go by. I believe that some things were not meant to be and although we can assume its coincidence i feel that this building is cursed and nost just meant to succeed. The town came short on the funding to rebuild it, to demolish it would cost to much, the telegram business, restaurant and passanger station all were closed down due to a fire, short on funds, or some other mishap. Although one thing does remain that you can cherish and that is remembering in your mind how beautiful this once looked standing and in operation.

Copyright By

Rick-AngelOfThyNight

 

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